Board chairman Ed Valdespino said Evans, who signed a four-month contract, is a candidate to replace Bill Fitzgibbons as the museum's executive director. Fitzgibbons' last day was Friday.

Evans, 49, left the Pace Foundation in August after a two-year stint. Before that, he was managing director of Dia: Beacon, a contemporary art space in New York, for nearly two decades.

“Steven is just uniquely qualified for the position,” Valdespino said. “He has great experience as an administrator and a curator, and he's also a working artist. So it was just one of those unique opportunities that we couldn't pass up.

“We will continue our search process for a director,” he added, “but Steven is also a candidate for the permanent director.”

Evans, who has been consulting and traveling since leaving the Pace Foundation, said he is “really excited” about the opportunity.

“I've admired Blue Star's vitality for years, even before I moved to San Antonio,” he said. “It's the longest-running venue for contemporary art in the city. It's a great organization.”

Evans said he has been asked to analyze Blue Star's strategic plan and will be responsible for day-to-day operations. He also will work with the organization's programming committee.

“I think I can provide some answers they need moving forward and maybe ask some important questions,” he said.

Asked if he was interested in making the position a permanent one, Evans replied: “This is a great way to explore that, to see how I like working with this board and this staff. It's attractive.”

Fitzgibbons, who will continue to work with Blue Star as a consultant on special projects, said he is “over-the-moon thrilled” about Evans' appointment.

“I think he'll do a terrific job,” said Fitzgibbons, a working sculptor who plans to focus on his own art projects after nearly 10 years at the helm of Blue Star. “From his time at Dia: Beacon and the Pace Foundation, he has a vast network of connections that will be to our benefit.”